Concussion 101: Six things you need to know

As we roll full speed ahead into fall sports season, this topic is bound to come up again and again: concussions.

The ATI Sports Medicine team helped develop these six tips that every parent should know about how to detect, treat, and prevent a concussion.

ATI Physical Therapy

As we roll full speed ahead into fall sports season, this topic is bound to come up again and again: concussions.

The ATI Sports Medicine team helped develop these six tips that every parent should know about how to detect, treat, and prevent a concussion.

1. Realize you can’t see a concussion. Unlike a broken leg or bruised wrist, it’s impossible to physically see a concussion, making it more difficult to diagnose.

2. Know the symptoms. Symptoms of a concussion can range from headaches and nausea to difficulty concentrating to changes in energy.

3. Concussions require rest. To heal, the brain must be able to decompress. Students who suffer from a concussion should avoid any unnecessary stimulation, such as watching television or playing video games.

4. Physical therapy offers concussion-specific treatment. Vestibular rehabilitation, a type of balance therapy, can help with dizziness and nausea. After symptoms subside, physical therapists provide sports-specific testing to determine if an athlete is ready to return. For football players, this testing may include cuts, tackles, or catches.

5. Communicate with coaches, athletic trainers, and medical professionals. It’s important that you maintain regular communication with your child’s coach and anyone involved with his or her medical treatment and diagnosis, including the athletic trainer, physical therapists, and/or doctor.

6. Gear up with these preventative measures. Be sure that your child is wearing gear that fits correctly. In addition, players should wear quality footwear to prevent falls or slips.